NRLA Concerns Quoted in LUHC Select Committee on Rental Reform
It has been another successful week for the Policy and Campaigns Team in Westminster as NRLA concerns were quoted by MPs in the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC) Select Committee.
In an oral evidence session organised by the Committee, the Minister for the Private Rented Sector – Felicity Buchan MP was questioned on the Rental Reform White Paper.
Paul Holmes MP, the Conservative member for Eastleigh, quizzed the newly appointed Minister on concerns the NRLA have raised around the impact of reform on the student housing market.
The Minster informed the committee that she has been discussing these issues with the NRLA and wanted to find a solution that works for both landlords and students.
MPs also questioned the Minister on other key points the NRLA has put forward about the White Paper, particularly around anti-social behaviour and court reform.
In the evidence session, Bob Blackman MP, the Conservative member for Harrow East, shared the NRLA’s view that reforms to possession grounds do not go far enough in protecting against anti-social behaviour.
In response, the Minster recognised the worries that landlords have about dealing with anti-social tenants, stating that there needs to be an efficient way to remove such tenants from their property.
She also informed the committee that court action needs to be “efficient and swift” and is working with Ministry of Justice to introduce reforms to make the possession process as efficient as it can be for landlords.
Conservative Roundtable
In other policy and campaigns related news, the NRLA hosted a well-attended roundtable with Conservative MPs and Peers in Parliament this week.
The event was chaired by Andrew Lewer MP, Conservative member for Northampton South, and discussed the impact of the Government’s proposals for reform of the private rented sector.
NRLA CEO, Ben Beadle spoke alongside Melissa Lawford (Property Correspondent at the Telegraph) and Alex Morton (Director of Strategy at the Institute for Economic Affairs).
During the roundtable, Ben conveyed the concerns of our members to Conservative MPs and Peers and called on the Government to develop a comprehensive strategy for the private rented sector.
More Information
To access a transcript of the LUHC Select Committee Evidence Session, click here
To find out more about the NRLA Rental Reform Campaign and key asks, click here
To sign up to our Campaigns and Public Affairs Webinar, click here
